You may not always think it, but every little counts when it comes to saving money on your heating bills.
Perhaps you’re looking into ways you can make big savings, like investing in new, high-efficiency radiators – or even replacing your entire central heating system. These things may or may not make a big difference – depending on the age and efficiency of your current system/radiators.
However, there may be a couple of other little-known ways to save money that you haven’t even considered yet.
As an experienced heating engineer, I like to look out for my customers and help them make savings where they can. So, read on to find out how you can save an additional 7% on your heating bills.
1. Fit a central heating filter
If you haven’t already got a central heating filter, fitting one can save a good 3 – 5% on running costs. How? Well, if I’m explaining it to people, I usually tell them to think of when people are ill with clogged arteries and high cholesterol. Pipework’s a bit like that, in that it can get dirty and clogged up with sludge.
All this sludge in the system means that the boiler has to do a lot more work – a bit like the way someone’s heart has to work harder to get the blood around someone’s system. However, if you cleanse your central heating system and fit a filter, it means the water goes round your system faster, and smoother.
It also means your boiler uses less energy to heat and pump water through the system. It’s like a double bypass for your boiler! It can even prolong its life.
2. Invest in better controls
When you don’t need a new boiler, but want to make your current one more efficient, buy some smart controls. Upgrading your controls to give you more power over your central heating can save you another 3 – 4% on your heating bills (or maybe even more).
The reason for this is things like weather optimisation, and the fact that many controls (like Nest) are learning thermostats. So, over time, they can work out how long it takes your house to heat up, and adjusts the time parameter of when it comes on.
Say you want it to be exactly 20 degrees at 6pm – it comes on 20 minutes early. Every house is different, what with single/doubling glazing, insulation levels, solar gain etc. so over time, smart controls like Nest will learn exactly when to come on with optimised start and stop times for your boiler.
Combine that with a modulating boiler that realises when it’s coming to 21.5 degrees and slows down to get there before shutting off – rather than going to a degree higher like older boilers – and you won’t go far wrong!
TIP: I’ve compared some of the best smart controls in my blog, so check it out to get a better idea of what’s out there.
Advice from an experienced heating engineer
Another way to see exactly how much money you’re spending on your heating bills – in real time – and adjust it, is to get a free smart meter installed in your home. You can use this alongside your controls to make the most of having full control over your heating and comfort.
More and more people are approaching me for advice on how to save money on their heating bills. One customer recently asked me for smart controls, and had gotten our name from the Honeywell website.
She wanted better control of her property, as she was currently letting a few bedrooms out, and she also had a baby. The kitchen, dining room and the baby’s room were the main rooms that needed heated during the day to optimise comfort – she didn’t want the rest of the house heated.
So, we fitted the Honeywell Evohome smart control system and she was so impressed at how comfortable her home was, whilst noticing her fuel bills going down. However, I also noticed – and had to tell her – that her boiler were oversized. It was old and non-modulating, so replacing it for correctly sized, newer condensing model also meant her bills went down.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading. There are so many different little things you can do to save money on your heating bills. You might not think these things make a big difference, but if you add them all up, they definitely count towards significant savings.
Do you have any questions on how you can save money on your heating bills? Perhaps you’ve had some advice you’re unsure about. If so, leave me a comment below – I’ll be happy to help!
